Availability of nasal mask BiPAP systems for the treatment of respiratory failure after cardiovascular surgery.
BACKGROUND
The availability of nasal mask bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) support in managing respiratory failure following cardiovascular surgery was studied.


METHODS
BiPAP support was used for eight patients requiring postoperative prolonged respiratory support of 72 hours or longer. Their mean age was 65 years of age and the mean periods of postoperative endotracheal intubation was 12+/-5 days. BiPAP support was removed within 48 hours in six out of eight patients. Reintubation of an endotracheal tube was not necessary in all eight patients after the BiPAP treatment.


RESULTS
The respiratory rates during the BiPAP management remained unchanged. The values of the respiratory index significantly (p<0.01) improved after BiPAP management (1.5+/-0.2 --> 0.9+/-0.2). A-aDO2 and Qs/Qt decreased (p<0.1) after the BiPAP management. There were no significant differences in central venous pressure and circulatory states during BiPAP support.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusions, BiPAP support is a noninvasive management technique for postoperative respiratory failure and may also prevent prolonged endotracheal intubation.
Ishikawa
S
S
Second Department of Surgery, Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan.
Ohtaki
A
A
Takahashi
T
T
Koyano
T
T
Hasegawa
Y
Y
Ohki
S
S
Sakata
S
S
Murakami
J
J
Otani
Y
Y
Kunimoto
F
F
Morishita
Y
Y
D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome